Dynamic Simulation as a tool to improve the efficiency of Energy Sytems. Applications in the Steel Industry

¹ Austrian Institute of Technology, Energy Department, Giefinggasse, 2, 1210, Vienna, Austria
² Vienna University of Technology, Institute for Energy Sytems and Thermodynamics, Getreidemark 9/E302, 1060 Vienna, Austria

^a e-mail: thibault.henrion@ait.ac.at

Abstract

To answer the need in reducing the amount and costs of the energetic consumptions in large industries, improvement methods mostly based on stationary considerations are being used today. It is difficult with such approaches to consider potentials hidden in time dependent effects. The batch operated processes of an Integrated Iron and Steel Plant (IISP) typically show time dependent behaviour. Therefore, dynamic considerations are used in this paper to increase the efficiency of energy systems (steam and hot water networks) in a European IISP. This allows the consideration of potential improvements not only through modifications of the process design and operating conditions but also through optimized control parameters, and enhancement of the transient operation procedures.

This paper describes an improvement procedure for the considered energy systems. The physical modelling of all main components (sources, network piping, valves and control devices), is carried out with the simulation program APROS. The potential use of the physical dynamic models is then illustrated by a practical example, which deals with the operating conditions enhancement of a steam turbine. Finally, the application range of the developed simulation models is discussed. Especially, their further utilization for the implementation of model predictive control is outlined.